Sports

Nuggets take down L.A. Lakers at home 126-114

ByTHE DENVER POST

Posted:
12/28/2012 11:37:21 AM MST

Thirty-nine times a season, Pepsi Center hosts "the Nugget game." And twice a season, it hosts "the Laker game."

There is a difference. At "the Nugget game," the opponent is essentially anonymous -- fans just go to watch some slams and slam some beers. But go to "the Laker game." It's different. It's personal. There's anger. There's Mile High vile. The Nuggets and their fans don't just want to win -- they want the Lakers to lose.

And so, Wednesday night was extra fulfilling for the fans with Denver winning 126-114 against the Lakers.

Denver defeated the team that coach George Karl said on media day that "I despise," because of the fact LA, and all their Hollywood Hall of Famers, have knocked Denver out of the playoffs three of the past five seasons, including this past spring.

"It was just good to see us shoot the ball and beat a good team with some confidence," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "We've been playing with a little more awareness of how to win close games."

Ty Lawson tallied a season-high 14 assists, and the Nuggets, much to the delight of their deprived fans, made a season-high 12 3s and shot 12-for-22 from beyond the arc (54.5).

"I thought Ty was sensational, it's the best he's played all year," Karl said of his point guard who didn't make a turnover. "He had some cockiness to his handle (of the ball). We just need him to duplicate that about 45 more times."

Corey Brewer took over in the second half. It was a spectacle.

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After scoring just six points in the first half, in the third quarter alone, Brewer scored 12 points with three 3s, the third at the buzzer. He then sank a 3 early in the third, giving Denver a 14-point lead. He also drew an offensive foul on Metta World Peace and played passionate defense on numerous Lakers. He finished the night with a team-high 27 points, tying a career-high from 2010.

"We were pushing the pace in the third, getting wide open shots," Brewer said. "You've got to knock them down."

Said Karl: "Corey and I were chatting before the game on how we lost him last night, probably the worst game of his year. The 3-ball has a tremendous karma to it. And his defensive plays and energy, he energizes us on the perimeter.

Denver power forward Kenneth Faried played a Kenneth Faried game. He was overwhelmingly energetic, leaping over Lakers for rebounds and paint points. He had 11 points and nine boards after just one quarter. By the third, his energy was so irritating that LA center Dwight Howard put hands to Faried's face on a shot attempt, throwing Faried to the ground and earning Howard an ejection with 5:02 left in the third.

"He was just mad, I was getting in his head," Faried said of Howard's frustration. "He couldn't get the rebounds he wanted because I kept getting every one. He was powerless on the boards."

What you might have missed: Ty Lawson actually nabbed two offensive rebounds. He swiped two steals, too. ... Lakers guard Darius Morris started but got three fouls and only played seven minutes, going scoreless. ... Corey Brewer had more points (27) than minutes played (24).

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